Lesléa was so upset by the event, she sat down and wrote October Mourning, a novel-in-verse that imagines the horrific last night of Matthew Shepherd’s life. The poems are told through various points of view, including the fence that Matthew was tied to, and the stars and moon that watched from overhead.

We’re hosting a weekend flash-fiction contest inspired by Lesléa Newman’s novel-in-verse. Your challenge: In 500 words or less, write a poem inspired by an event that made the national news in the last year.

You have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, October 1, 2012 to enter the contest. Figment editors will choose five winners who will each receive hardcover and audiobook editions of October Mourning.

How to enter:
1. Read the full rules.
2. Create an account on Figment.com.
3. Start a new writing of under 500 words.
5. Tag your writing with MourningContest on the Details tab.
6 . Press “Publish Now.”
7. You should receive a pop-up confirmation of your entry, and in about two hours or so, your piece should appear among the submissions.